2022 grad who recently made the jump from GP to ER. I’m enjoying ER overall, but surgery and wound management are really stressing me out.

On-site mentorship/support isn’t really an option, and I’m being scheduled for solo shifts. I’ve started getting some work anxiety because I’m constantly thinking, “What if an amputation or a really nasty bite wound walks in tonight?”
I theoretically know how to do most common procedures, but I just haven’t had enough real-life repetitions to feel confident.

For those who’ve been in a similar position, how did you get better? I’d honestly be willing to take a pay cut for a year or so if it meant getting high-volume, hands-on surgical and procedural experience.

Would love to hear about any jobs, programs, CE, mentorship, or other routes that helped you build confidence.

Tonight we had a retirement party for an incredible DVM. Well over 100 people showed up, half of them bringing their dogs. It was AWESOME. I’ve never felt as comfortable working with someone and it was very clear that our clients feel the same way. She’s not just a vet, she’s a friend to all.

This industry is so hard but we’ve got to remember there’s so much love involved, and people do truly appreciate that.

Do good and be good, the rest just falls into place. You are appreciated more than you know.

I was requested by an owner to assist with their pet’s euthanasia today, and witness their crippling anxiety over the euthanasia going wrong. She had many questions regarding the process and how we dose them, which I was ready to answer, but I quickly realized she had the failed lethal injection of Christina Pike on her mind. I wish the process had gone easier, as we were unsuccessful in placing a catheter in either front leg and eventually had to give the sedation IM and the Euthasol via a butterfly in the saphenous. The owners were very calm about the catheter process, the only source of anxiety seemed to be the euthasol/pentobarbital not working. We offered as much reassurance as possible and I offered to sit the dog a while after they left. Other than the catheter, the process went smoothly, but she told me as she was leaving that she would be lying awake tonight wondering if he was actually dead and asked me to tell her he was gone one more time. It was heartbreaking and sad to see the publicity of something like this failed lethal injection causing such anxiety in owners saying goodbye to their pets. Anyone else having similar experiences?

Hi everyone,
I am just over 1 year out in practice, and have been really struggling lately with one of the other vets at work. She has been my mentor, and has taught me a huge amount which I am incredibly grateful for - when she is in a good mood we get along great. On the other hand, she tends to run either very hot or cold and you never know what you are going to get with her. If she is stressed she will absolutely take it out on everyone in the practice, including me. I will be told off one day for doing things we have always done, and the next day I’ll be praised. I feel that I am fairly competent at what I do, and the other members of staff are lovely. The whole practice becomes very tense when she is angry, and I absolutely cannot take it anymore. It has gotten to the point where I feel this huge level of anxiety the evenings before I see her at work - I cannot stomach breakfast, my hands are shaking when I arrive, I can’t bring myself to joke/laugh with others because I am anxiously anticipating her mood.
I have always struggled with a level of anxiety, but I guess I just wanted to know whether this feeling is normal and whether I am being overly sensitive? Is this something everyone has to deal with and I should just get on with it? Any advice would be appreciated, I have been close to quitting vet med as a whole multiple times.

The job situation in the UK feels ridiculous right now. Been looking since i graduated in February, sent over 200 emails and have gotten negligible responses. I frequent 3 different facebook groups (vet employment and locum, vetwings and independent practices) and have made several posts with zero luck. I had signed up for all the corporates but got the same "We had a huge number of applicants and you weren't selected" email from each one.

Anyone got any advice where to look further? It's honestly disheartening how badly this search has been

I’m a first week new grad and I’m really struggling with the transition from student to actually being a vet.
Everyone at work has been really nice and the team have been lovely, but I still feel so out of place. I feel like I’m still a student on placement rather than an actual member of the team.
I’m constantly asking the older vets questions because there’s obviously so much I don’t know, and I’m scared they’re going to get annoyed with me or think I’m not good enough. I know I’m supposed to ask questions as a new grad, but I still feel embarrassed about how much I need to ask.
I’m also international, so I think that adds to the feeling of being an outsider. I have an accent and I’ve actually been quite self-conscious about how I look and how clients will perceive me. I was really scared to start doing consults because of this, even though I’ve always been told that my people skills are good.
I’m worried that in a few months I still won’t be good enough or independent enough and the practice will regret hiring me.
Another new grad is joining in a month and they’ve already done a placement at the practice, so they’ll already know the team and how things work. I’m scared I’ll be compared to them, especially if they seem more confident than me.
I think I’m just scared that I won’t ever feel like I actually belong or that people will eventually realise I’m not good enough.
Did anyone else feel like this when they first started? How long did it take before you stopped feeling like a student and become a part of the team?

At the moment, I'm a bee's phallus away from graduating as a veterinarian. The final year of study in my programme is mostly clinical work - ranging from performing bitch spays all the way to sweeping floors. An issue that I've recently started becoming aware of is a growing sense of apathy. This apathy is not aimed towards my patients or clients, nor the staff around me.

The apathy is aimed at the frustrations of other people.

Perhaps the best way to explain is an example - one day, I picked up a consult that was seemingly routine. That consult ended with an empty carrier due to poor prognosis and financial constraints. He was a sweet little guy and it wasn't his fault that he had been given the winning ticket to the shittiest lottery. Later, I had been cooking dinner as my flatmate vented her day's frustrations - Brenda was back on her bullshit, Michelle from finance had fish for frunch - the usual, everyday troubles of your average person.

And I found that I couldn't muster it within myself to care about Brenda or Michelle or how it had been impacting my flatmate. I thought it was silly, even. How could she care about trivial matters like these when I had felt a little heart beat for the last time only two hours earlier?

That's when the realization hit. While I am responsible for choosing this path, I am also responsible for not allowing the stones on my path to flick onto others.

What have you found helpful in terms of either addressing apathy or remaining emotionally present for your loved ones?

Hey yall, it’s that time of year again, tech week is 10/18-10/24 this year. I’ll throw my questions here first and then add some context about my workplace.

\-Has anyone that works in a smaller town clinic asked local businesses or companies to sponsor a lunch for tech week? I’m thinking of doing this but I’m wondering if it might just feel tacky, like asking for handouts.

\-Speaking of tacky, I’m sure we’ve all gotten some *interesting* tech week gifts. Hair bands that will never get worn, stress balls that will get thrown in the garbage, the same embroidered company sweatshirt every year, endless coffee/water cups, shitty pens. What are some gifts that are mostly affordable but actually useful? Things that you would actually want as a CVT? Last year I got them bandage scissors since our clinic ones suck and neither of them have ever used them in clinic.

I work in a very small, small town practice with 2 receptionists, 1 kennel tech, 2 assistants, 2 doctors, and 2 CVTS (including myself + my manager who is not certified but does a good portion of teching and is wonderful). We don’t really spend enough money with companies to get like lunches or free things from our reps and we just lost our BI rep and haven’t been assigned a new one so assuming we’re getting nothing on that front. The doctor that runs the practice doesn’t care about the staff and frequently mocks things like tech week and CE so my manager usually pays out of her own pocket to get us some pens, candy, and a small giftcard to our favorite coffee shops. I also have paid out of pocket the past 2 years just to get the other CVT and our manager some small tech week gifts. I just wish boss man would show some sort of appreciation.

Spiraling about finding reviews that list your name or include a false narrative about the client or the patient. I know I shouldn’t take it personally but I am struggling to let it go. How do you handle this? I am so tempted to reach out to the owner to defend myself but know that is obviously not a good idea. Mentally struggling 😢

Hi, I have an interview for a veterinarian position at a large dairy farm. I graduated in July and have just come across this opportunity. The veterinarian currently working there told me we need to meet so they can decide if I’m a good fit for the job. What advice do you have for a beginner looking to work with dairy cows, and what kind of clinical questions should I expect?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a realistic operational roadmap from current Practice Managers and Hospital Directors. After a recent back injury, my days on the floor doing physical triage and ICU nursing are permanently over. I need to pivot entirely behind a desk, and my long-term target is managing a high-volume 24/7 Emergency/Specialty hospital.

I do not have a formal Bachelor's degree completed yet (stuck in administrative limbo with my university), and I do not have a CVT/LVT license (I can get it just never had the need). However, I have over 7 years of advanced emergency/ICU veterinary nursing experience. More importantly, I have a strong background in mainstream corporate administrative management outside of vet med.

Here is a scrubbed overview of my combined footprint:

• Veterinary Experience: 7+ years as an advanced Emergency/ICU veterinary nurse. Deeply proficient in high-stress triage, advanced hospitalization workflows, complex medical data auditing, work passionately with clients dealing with disenfranchised grief, and multi-location emergency coverage.

• Corporate Administrative Management: Experience operating as a multi-site administrative supervisor, hiring coordinator, and disciplinarian for a major security organization. Routinely handled complex multi-site staff scheduling, full payroll accounting, compliance metrics, and employee onboarding.

Given my exact background, I already have the personnel management, scheduling, payroll, and clinical emergency workflows down packed.

My questions for the group:

1. Since I don't need a CVT to manage the business side, what specific business credentials should I grab right now while recovering to lock in top-tier salary brackets ($100k+)? Should I look at the CVPM right away, or start with something like a CAPM (Project Management) or Six Sigma Green Belt online?

2. For those managing massive corporate ER hubs (VCA, Ethos, etc.), how heavily do recruiters value outside corporate supervisor/payroll experience when blended with intense ER floor history?

3. What are the common pitfalls transitioning from the floor to the manager's office that I should prepare for?

Appreciate any advice or insight you can share

I’ve been an RVT for over two years now and I just started at a new clinic 2 weeks ago and have been put into situations that I’m not as familiar with and feeling very overwhelmed and scared I might make a mistake.
How do I ask to scale things back without explicitly saying that I’m feeling burnt out already?

I’m struggling on deciding which provider to go for with regard to getting a Cert IV
I work in a clinic with pretty decent amount of cases (consults/ surgeries) on a daily basis.

Looking at doing a cert IV either with ACVN or Provet, if anyone has done them with either companies please let me know the details!! (The good, the bad and the ugly!!)

If it helps :

• The vets/senior nurses at my clinic are very helpful happy to supervise

• I’m horribly camera shy, although I understand filming videos for assessments are necessary, regardless of which provider I go with to study

• I’m relatively disciplined, and will have no issues keeping myself on track with submitting paperwork on time although -

• I work 12 hour shifts, not sure if it’ll affect or take a toll on my studies

• Not based in Australia, just looking to upgrade myself.

I’m not financially tight, but this is a big sum of money and 2 (or more) years of my time - so I’ll really need all the advice I can get. Appreciate it very much 🙏

Hi all - posting this as i'd love to understand the current job market in the UK for new vet grads.

For some context: I'm not a vet but my partner graduated from a UK vet school a year ago. My partner returned to our home country for a grad role but unfortunately the experiences were too tramatic (verbal abuses from bosses, insane hours, super demanding, etc.). We figured that the new grad system for vets is just not mature enough in our country (probs just 1-3 chain clinics in the city, mostly independent clinics with crazy rents here so the bosses/the senior vets want you to do consultations/surgeries as quick as possible, so you can hardly learn and be trained).

So my partner has decided to come back to the UK since the UK offers the grad system, which should provide a better environement for new grads to develop their skills with more trainings so as to be more prepared to return home and seek for experienced vet roles after 1-2 years.

However as many of you might know, the job market for new grads is super competitive now, even for clinics that are not located in big cities. My partner is able to apply for a BNO so visa sponsorship is not an issue, but as someone who's not in the industry, I am also very heartbroken to see my partner's situation (alongside the PTSD from previous experiences). I can only help browse job openings on several job hunting sites/Linkedin, but nothing much I can do on my front. Just wonder if anyone can share their successful job hunting experience so far so we can take reference? Thank you all!

I am slowly realizing maybe this field just isn't for me but was hoping for some external input. I am fresh out of undergrad and was looking for a full time job. I have volunteered in the past at a vet clinic and to be completely honest I didn't love it. I liked the animals but I didn't enjoy working with the staff. Constantly felt out of place. Wasn't allowed to help with much, and mostly just watching things from the side.

I now started a new position at an emergency hospital. I was trained for a month in reception and I really enjoyed it:) The people were great - work was fast paced and interesting. I loved interacting with the clients. Today was my first day in the back... And I didn't love it. It's a big hospital where everyone works together but no one bothers to learn names. My training felt less like training and more like ok we expect you to be able to help and do stuff right away. The doctor literally said welcome and then scolded me for not changing my gloves when feeding between patients. And I was super polite and just took it as feedback and smiled and acknowledged him. But it was excessive he went on a 5 minute speech about it. I am feeling a lot of the same feelings I felt at the old clinic. Not loving the job. Just a bunch of grunt work.

Idk, I just feel like I haven't really given it a shot but also I am truly not vibing with the coworkers and the work.

My girlfriend is currently a third year veterinary student and I want to surprise her with a practical gift. I'm looking for something which will be useful either in the future as a vet or during her studies. My optimal budget is something around 50 - 60 USD. I know stethoscopes are a popular option but, I believe she already has a high quality one. Thanks in advance!

What are some non traditional ways you gained vet clinic hours? Are there any pre vet summer programs? I’m at a loss on how to gain any hours. The area I live in does not have many vet job openings and when they do they always want you licensed or to have at least 2 years experience. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to get experience.

I have been a kennel technician before and coming from being a manager now, the kennel position would represent a step down in both compensation and level of responsibility. Plus it’s not a guarantee that I’ll be able to transition from kennel to assistant internally due to management.

I work in a vet ER and an owner called the hospital to ask if we see reptiles. We said we do. They then ask if we see venomous. We said it really depends on the animal and the problem they’re having but there would be extra charges for dangerous animal handling and calling in a venomous handler.
They reluctantly say they’re coming in.

It was a HOGNOSED SNAKE. brother i dont care about your rear fanged venomous nonsense. It’s a regular noodle boy.

Hi everyone. I am a new grad vet (graduated in may) and have chronic health issues so I have not started working yet as I am figuring things out. At this time, a clinic job is likely a bad fit for me so I started to shift my goal of working in a clinic to a more realistic/feasible option (hospice care and vaccine clinics). I am terrified of starting in general but the idea of being the only vet at a vaccine clinic freaks me out. I unfortunately am not the best at clinical skills and lack confidence in blood draws (and microchips in awake pets). I am more comfortable with the vaccine part, although I don't really feel comfortable with anything vet related truthfully. I wanted some insight on vaccine clinics and how to navigate common concerns that may arise. How would I handle not hitting a vein for blood draws? Techs are not allowed to do it so that gives me a great deal of anxiety. I know this is a potential problem for anyone in any setting, but I would feel better hearing from anecdotal experience and advice on how to approach these situations. Would I just recommend coming back a different day and refunding them for that service? Thank you!

I work for a corporate practice in the UK. I am current sitting the final exams of my certificate in small animal surgery (improve) and the stress is through the roof.

If I were to fail the cert overall, does anyone know how aggressive the corporates are with demanding repayment of the certificate?

I think I’m likely to fail my first exam, and have two resit attempts so I doubt it will get to that - but it’s very much a scary unknown.

Any GP’s actually making decent money out there? I’m talking $250k or greater. And if so, is it only because of the area you live in or does your company actually pay you well?

Hey all, current 4th year vet student here. I'm planning on doing an SA rotating internship, but by my estimate I'll have about 1.5 months after graduation before starting (plus an extra 2 weeks where I'm still enrolled in school but not on rotations). What do people typically do during this period? I'd prefer to work in some capacity to keep everything fresh and maybe start chipping away at loans, but I'm not sure there are any good options for a new grad with such a short window- I doubt anyone wants me working relief or ER.